Thirty-six ways to tell the tale

[jfinn]

We've talked about how there really is nothing new under the sun before and invariably someone brings up a number that they've heard is how many available plots there really are. I knew I'd seen the article on this somewhere, but it wasn't until today that I stumbled on it. I thought some of you might find it interesting so here it is:


In 1868, Georges Polti, stated there were only 36 dramatic situations. Any story that held dramatic premise would encompass one or more of these situations.


The Thirty-six Dramatic Situations
by Georges Polti

01. SUPPLICATION
(The dynamic elements technically necessary are: a Persecutor; a Suppliant; and a Power in authority, whose decision is doubtful)
A.
(1) Fugitives Imploring the Powerful for Help Against Their Enemies
(2) Assistance Implored for the Performance of a Pious Duty Which Has Been Forbidden
(3) Appeals for a Refuge in Which to Die
B.
(1) Hospitality Besought by the Shipwrecked
(2) Charity Entreated by Those Cast Off by Their Own People, Whom They Have Disgraced
(3) Expiation: The Seeking of Pardon, Healing or Deliverance
(4) The Surrender of a Corpse, or of a Relic, Solicited
C.
(1) Supplication of the Powerful for Those Dear to the Suppliant
(2) Supplication to a Relative in Behalf of Another Relative
(3) Supplication to a Mother's Lover, in Her Behalf



02. DELIVERANCE
(Elements: an Unfortunate, a Threatener, a Rescuer)
A.
(1) Appearance of a Rescuer to the Condemned
B.
(1) A Parent Replaced Upon a Throne by His Children
(2) Rescue by Friends, or by Strangers Grateful for Benefits Or Hospitality



03. CRIME Pursued by Vengeance
(Elements: an Avenger and a Criminal)
A.
(1) The Avenging of a Slain Parent or Ancestor
(2) The Avenging of a Slain Child or Descendant
(3) Vengeance for a Child Dishonored
(4) The Avenging of a Slain Wife or Husband
(5) Vengeance for the Dishonor, or Attempted Dishonoring, of a Wife
(6) Vengeance for a Mistress Slain
(7) Vengeance for a Slain or Injured Friend
(8) Vengeance for a Sister Seduced
B.
(1) Vengeance for Intentional Injury or Spoliation
(2) Vengeance for Having Been Despoiled During Absence
(3) Revenge for an Attempted Slaying
(4) Revenge for a False Accusation
(5) Vengeance for Violation
(6) Vengeance for Having Been Robbed of One's Own
(7) Revenge Upon a Whole Sex for a Deception by One
C.
(1) Professional Pursuit of Criminals



04. VENGEANCE Taken For Kindred Upon Kindred
(Elements: Avenging Kinsman; Guilty Kinsman; Remembrance of the Victim, a Relative of Both)
A.
(1) A Father's Death Avenged Upon a Mother
(2) A Mother's Death Avenged Upon a Father
B.
(1) A Brother's Death Avenged Upon a Son
C.
(1) A Father's Death Avenged Upon a Husband
D.
(1) A Husband's Death Avenged Upon a Father



05. PURSUIT
(Elements: Punishment and Fugitive)
A.
(1) Fugitives from Justice Pursued for Brigandage, Political Offenses, Etc.
B.
(1) Pursued for a Fault of Love
C.
(1) A Hero Struggling Against a Power
D.
(1) A Pseudo-Madman Struggling Against an Iago-Like Alienist



06. DISASTER
(Elements: a Vanquished Power; a Victorious Enemy or a Messenger)
A.
(1) Defeat Suffered
(2) A Fatherland Destroyed
(3) The Fall of Humanity
(4) A Natural Catastrophe
B.
(1) A Monarch Overthrown
C.
(1) Ingratitude Suffered
(2) The Suffering of Unjust Punishment or Enmity
(3) An Outrage Suffered
D.
(1) Abandonment by a Lover or a Husband
(2) Children Lost by Their Parents



07. FALLING PREY To Cruelty Or Misfortune
(Elements: an Unfortunate; a Master or a Misfortune)
A.
(1) The Innocent Made the Victim of Ambitious Intrigue
B.
(1) The Innocent Despoiled by Those Who Should Protect
C.
(1) The Powerful Dispossessed and Wretched
(2) A Favorite or an Intimate Finds Himself Forgotten
D.
(1) The Unfortunate Robbed of Their Only Hope



08. REVOLT
(Elements: Tyrant and Conspirator)
A.
(1) A Conspiracy Chiefly of One Individual
(2) A Conspiracy of Several
B.
(1) Revolt of One Individual, Who Influences and Involves Others
(2) A Revolt of Many



09. DARING Enterprise
(Elements: a Bold Leader; an Object; an Adversary)
A.
(1) Preparations For War
B.
(1) War
(2) A Combat
C.
(1) Carrying Off a Desired Person or Object
(2) Recapture of a Desired Object
D.
(1) Adventurous Expeditions
(2) Adventure Undertaken for the Purpose of Obtaining a Beloved Woman



10. ABDUCTION
(Elements: the Abductor; the Abducted; the Guardian)
A.
(1) Abduction of an Unwilling Woman
B.
(1) Abduction of a Consenting Woman
C.
(1) Recapture of the Woman Without the Slaying of the Abductor
(2) The Same Case, with the Slaying of the Ravisher
D.
(1) Rescue of a Captive Friend
(2) Of a Child
(3) Of a Soul in Captivity to Error



11. THE ENIGMA
(Elements: Interrogator, Seeker and Problem)
A.
(1) Search for a Person Who Must Be Found on Pain of Death
B.
(1) A Riddle To Be Solved on Pain of Death
(2) The Same Case, in Which the Riddle is Proposed by the Coveted Woman
C.
(1) Temptations Offered With the Object of Discovering His Name
(2) Temptations Offered With the Object of Ascertaining the Sex
(3) Tests for the Purpose of Ascertaining the Mental Condition



12. OBTAINING
(Elements: a Solicitor and an Adversary Who is Refusing, or an Arbitrator and Opposing Parties)
A.
(1) Efforts to Obtain an Object by Ruse or Force
B.
(1) Endeavor by Means of Persuasive Eloquence Alone
C.
(1) Eloquence With an Arbitrator

13. ENMITY Of Kinsmen
(Elements: a Malevolent Kinsman; a Hatred or Reciprocally Hating Kinsman)
A.
(1) Hatred of Brothers -- One Brother Hated by Several
(2) Reciprocal Hatred
(3) Hatred Between Relatives for Reasons of Self-Interest
B.
(1) Hatred of Father and Son -- Of the Son for the Father
(2) Mutual Hatred
(3) Hatred of Daughter for Father
C.
(1) Hatred of Grandfather for Grandson
D.
(1) Hatred of Father-in-law for Son-in-law
E.
(1) Hatred of Mother-in-law for Daughter-in-law
F.
(1) Infanticide



14. RIVALRY Of Kinsmen
(Elements: the Preferred Kinsman; the Rejected Kinsman; the Object)
A.
(1) Malicious Rivalry of a Brother
(2) Malicious Rivalry of Two Brothers
(3) Rivalry of Two Brothers, With Adultery on the Part of One
(4) Rivalry of Sisters
B.
(1) Rivalry of Father and Son, for an Unmarried Woman
(2) Rivalry of Father and Son, for a Married Woman
(3) Case Similar to the Two Foregoing, But in Which the Object is Already the Wife of the Father
(4) Rivalry of Mother and Daughter
C.
(1) Rivalry of Cousins
D.
(1) Rivalry of Friends



15. MURDEROUS Adultery
(Elements: Two Adulterers; a Betrayed Husband or Wife)
A.
(1) The Slaying of a Husband by, or for, a Paramour
(2) The Slaying of a Trusting Lover
B.
(1) Slaying of a Wife for a Paramour, and in Self-Interest



16. MADNESS
(Elements: Madman and Victim)
A.
(1) Kinsmen Slain in Madness
(2) Lover Slain in Madness
(3) Slaying or Injuring of a Person not Hated
B.
(1) Disgrace Brought Upon Oneself Through Madness
C.
(1) Loss of Loved Ones Brought About by Madness
D.
(1) Madness Brought on by Fear of Hereditary Insanity



17. FATAL Imprudence
(Elements: The Imprudent; the Victim or the Object Lost)
A.
(1) Imprudence the Cause of One's Own Misfortune
(2) Imprudence the Cause of One's Own Dishonor
B.
(1) Curiosity the Cause of One's Own Misfortune
(2) Loss of the Possession of a Loved One, Through Curiosity
C.
(1) Curiosity the Cause of Death or Misfortune to Others
(2) Imprudence the Cause of a Relative's Death
(3) Imprudence the Cause of a Lover's Death
(4) Credulity the Cause of Kinsmen's Deaths



18. INVOLUNTARY Crimes Of Love
(Elements: the Lover, the Beloved; the Revealer)
A.
(1) Discovery that One Has Married One's Mother
(2) Discovery that One Has Had a Sister as Mistress
B.
(1) Discovery that One Has Married One's Sister
(2) The Same Case, in Which the Crime Has Been Villainously Planned by a Third Person
(3) Being Upon the Point of Taking a Sister, Unknowingly, as Mistress
C.
(1) Being Upon the Point of Violating, Unknowingly, a Daughter
D.
(1) Being Upon the Point of Committing an Adultery Unknowingly
(2) Adultery Committed Unknowingly



19. SLAYING of a Kinsman Unrecognized
(Elements: the Slayer, the Unrecognized Victim)
A.
(1) Being Upon the Point of Slaying a Daughter Unknowingly, by Command of a Divinity or an Oracle
(2) Through Political Necessity
(3) Through a Rivalry in Love
(4) Through Hatred of the Lover of the Unrecognized Daughter
B.
(1) Being Upon the Point of Killing a Son Unknowingly
(2) The Same Case, Strengthened by Machiavellian Instigations
C.
(1) Being Upon the Point of Slaying a Brother Unknowingly
D.
(1) Slaying of a Mother Unrecognized
E.
(1) A Father Slain Unknowingly, Through Machiavellian Advice
F.
(1) A Grandfather Slain Unknowingly, in Vengeance and Through Instigation
G.
(1) Involuntary Killing of a Loved Woman
(2) Being Upon the Point of Killing a Lover Unrecognized
(3) Failure to Rescue an Unrecognized Son



20. SELF-Sacrificing For An Ideal
(Elements: the Hero; the Ideal; the 'Creditor' or the Person or Thing Sacrificed)
A.
(1) Sacrifice of Life for the Sake of One's Word
(2) Life Sacrifice for the Success of One's People
(3) Life Sacrificed in Filial Piety
(4) Life Sacrificed for the Sake of One's Faith
B.
(1) Both Love and Life Sacrificed for One's Faith, or a Cause
(2) Love Sacrificed to the Interests of State
C.
(1) Sacrifice of Well-Being to Duty
D.
(1) The Ideal of 'Honor' Sacrificed to the Ideal of 'Faith'



21. SELF-Sacrifice For Kindred
(Elements: the Hero; the Kinsman; the 'Creditor' or the Person or Thing Sacrificed)
A.
(1) Life Sacrificed for that of a Relative or a Loved One
(2) Life Sacrificed for the Happiness of a Relative or a Loved One
B.
(1) Ambition Sacrificed for the Happiness of a Parent
(2) Ambition Sacrificed for the Life of a Parent
C.
(1) Love Sacrificed for the Sake of a Parent's Life
(2) For the Happiness of One's Child
(3) The Same Sacrifice as 2, But Caused by Unjust Laws
D.
(1) Life and Honor Sacrificed for the Life of a Parent or Loved One
(2) Modesty Sacrificed for the Life of a Relative or a Loved One



22. ALL Sacrificed For A Passion
(Elements: the Lover, the Object of the Fatal Passion; the Person or Thing Sacrificed)
A.
(1) Religious Vows of Chastity Broken for a Passion
(2) Respect for a Priest Destroyed
(3) A Future Ruined by Passion
(4) Power Ruined by Passion
(5) Ruin of Mind, Health, and Life
(6) Ruin of Fortunes, Lives, and Honors
B.
(1) Temptations Destroying the Sense of Duty, of Piety, etc.
C.
(1) Destruction of Honor, Fortune, and Life by Erotic Vice
(2) The Same Effect Produced by Any Other Vice



23. NECESSITY Of Sacrificing Love Ones
(Elements: the Hero; the Beloved Victim; the Necessity for the Sacrifice)
A.
(1) Necessity for Sacrificing a Daughter in the Public Interest
(2) Duty of Sacrificing Her in Fulfillment of a Vow to God
(3) Duty of Sacrificing Benefactors or Loved Ones to One's Faith
B.
(1) Duty of Sacrificing One's Child, Unknown to Others, Under the Pressure of Necessity
(2) Duty of Sacrificing, Under the Same Circumstances, One's Father or Husband
(3) Duty of Sacrificing a Son-in-law for the Public Good
(4) Duty of Contending with a Brother-in-Law for the Public Good
(5) Duty of Contending with a Friend



24. RIVALRY Of Superior And Inferior
(Elements: the Superior Rival; the Inferior Rival; the Object)
A.
(1) Masculine Rivalries; of a Mortal and an Immortal
(2) Of a Magician and an Ordinary Man
(3) Of Conqueror and Conquered
(4) Of a King and a Noble
(5) Of a Powerful Person and an Upstart
(6) Of Rich and Poor
(7) Of an Honored Man and a Suspected One
(8) Rivalry of Two Who are Almost Equal
(9) Of the Two Successive Husbands of a Divorcee
B.
(1) Feminine Rivalries; Of a Sorceress and an Ordinary Woman
(2) Of Victor and Prisoner
(3) Of Queen and Subject
(4) Of Lady and Servant
(5) Rivalry Between Memory or an Ideal (That of a Superior Woman) and a Vassal of Her Own
C.
(1) Double Rivalry (A loves B, who loves C, who loves D)



25. ADULTERY
(Elements: a Deceived Husband or Wife; Two Adulterers)
A.
(1) A Mistress Betrayed, For a Young Woman
(2) For a Young Wife
B.
(1) A Wife Betrayed, For a Slave Who Does Not Love in Return
(2) For Debauchery
(3) For a Married Woman
(4) With the Intention of Bigamy
(5) For a Young Girl, who Does Not Love in Return
(6) A Wife Envied by a Young Girl Who is in Love With Her Husband
(7) By a Courtesan
C.
(1) An Antagonistic Husband Sacrificed for a Congenial Lover
(2) A Husband, Believed to be Lost, Forgotten for a Rival
(3) A Commonplace Husband Sacrificed for a Sympathetic Lover
(4) A Good Husband Betrayed for an Inferior Rival
(5) For a Grotesque Rival
(6) For a Commonplace Rival, By a Perverse Wife
(7) For a Rival Less Handsome, But Useful
D.
(1) Vengeance of a Deceived Husband
(2) Jealousy Sacrificed for the Sake of a Cause
(3) Husband Persecuted by a Rejected Rival



26. CRIMES Of Love
(Elements: The Lover, the Beloved)
A.
(1) A Mother in Love with Her Son
(2) A Daughter in Love with her Father
(3) Violation of a Daughter by a Father
B.
(1) A Woman Enamored of Her Stepson
(2) A Woman and Her Stepson Enamored of Each Other
(3) A Woman Being the Mistress, at the Same Time, of a Father and Son, Both of Whom Accept the Situation
C.
(1) A Man Becomes the Lover of his Sister-in-Law
(2) A Brother and Sister in Love with Each Other
D.
(1) A Man Enamored of Another Man, Who Yields
E.
(1) A Woman Enamored of a Beast



27. DISCOVERY Of The Dishonor Of A Loved One
(Elements: the Discoverer; the Guilty One)
A.
(1) Discovery of a Mother's Shame
(2) Discovery of a Father's Shame
(3) Discovery of a Daughter's Dishonor
B.
(1) Discovery of Dishonor in the Family of One's Fiancee
(2) Discovery than One's Wife Has Been Violated Before Marriage, Or Since the Marriage
(3) That She Has Previously Committed a Fault
(4) Discovery that One's Wife Has Formerly Been a Prostitute
(5) Discovery that One's Mistress, Formerly a Prostitute, Has Returned to Her Old Life
(6) Discovery that One's Lover is a Scoundrel, or that One's Mistress is a Woman of Bad Character
(7) The Same Discovery Concerning One's Wife
C.
(1) Duty of Punishing a Son Who is a Traitor to Country
(2) Duty of Punishing a Son Condemned Under a Law Which the Father Has Made
(3) Duty of Punishing One's Mother to Avenge One's Father



28. OBSTACLES To Love
(Elements: Two Lovers, an Obstacle)
A.
(1) Marriage Prevented by Inequality of Rank
(2) Inequality of Fortune an Impediment to Marriage
B.
(1) Marriage Prevented by Enemies and Contingent Obstacles
C.
(1) Marriage Forbidden on Account of the Young Woman's Previous Betrothal to Another
D.
(1) A Free Union Impeded by the Opposition of Relatives
E.
(1) By the Incompatibility of Temper of the Lovers



29. AN ENEMY Loved
(Elements: The Beloved Enemy; the Lover; the Hater)
A.
(1) The Loved One Hated by Kinsmen of the Lover
(2) The Lover Pursued by the Brothers of His Beloved
(3) The Lover Hated by the Family of His Beloved
(4) The Beloved is an Enemy of the Party of the Woman Who Loves Him
B.
(1) The Beloved is the Slayer of a Kinsman of the Woman Who Loves Him



30. AMBITION
(Elements: an Ambitious Person; a Thing Coveted; an Adversary)
A.
(1) Ambition Watched and Guarded Against by a Kinsman, or By a Person Under Obligation
B.
(1) Rebellious Ambition
C.
(1) Ambition and Covetousness Heaping Crime Upon Crime



31. CONFLICT With A God
(Elements: a Mortal, an Immortal)
A.
(1) Struggle Against a Deity
(2) Strife with the Believers in a God
B.
(1) Controversy with a Deity
(2) Punishment for Contempt of a God
(3) Punishment for Pride Before a God



32. MISTAKEN Jealousy
(Elements: the Jealous One; the Object of Whose Possession He is Jealous; the Supposed Accomplice; the Cause or the Author of the Mistake)
A.
(1) The Mistake Originates in the Suspicious Mind of the Jealous One
(2) Mistaken Jealousy Aroused by Fatal Chance
(3) Mistaken Jealousy of a Love Which is Purely Platonic
(4) Baseless Jealousy Aroused by Malicious Rumors
B.
(1) Jealousy Suggested by a Traitor Who is Moved by Hatred, or Self-Interest
C.
(1) Reciprocal Jealousy Suggested to Husband and Wife by a Rival



33. ERRONEOUS Judgment
(Elements: The Mistaken One; the Victim of the Mistake; the Cause or Author of the Mistake; the Guilty Person)
A.
(1) False Suspicion Where Faith is Necessary
(2) False Suspicion of a Mistress
(3) False Suspicion Aroused by a Misunderstood Attitude of a Loved One
B.
(1) False Suspicions Drawn Upon Oneself to Save a Friend
(2) They Fall Upon the Innocent
(3) The Same Case as 2, but in Which the Innocent had a Guilty Intention, or Believes Himself Guilty
(4) A Witness to the Crime, in the Interest of a Loved One, Lets Accusation Fall Upon the Innocent
C.
(1) The Accusation is Allowed to Fall Upon an Enemy
(2) The Error is Provoked by an Enemy
D.
(1) False Suspicion Thrown by the Real Culprit Upon One of His Enemies
(2) Thrown by the Real Culprit Upon the Second Victim Against Whom He Has Plotted From the Beginning



34. REMORSE
(Elements: the Culprit; the Victim or the Sin; the Interrogator)
A.
(1) Remorse for an Unknown Crime
(2) Remorse for a Parricide
(3) Remorse for an Assassination
B.
(1) Remorse for a Fault of Love
(2) Remorse for an Adultery



35. RECOVERY Of A Lost One
(The Seeker; the One Found)
A.
(1) A Child Stolen
B.
(1) Unjust Imprisonment
C.
(1) A Child Searches to Discover His Father



36. LOSS Of Loved Ones
(A Kinsman Slain; a Kinsman Spectator; an Executioner)
A.
(1) Witnessing the Slaying of Kinsmen While Powerless to Prevent It
(2) Helping to Bring Misfortune Upon One's People Through Professional Secrecy
B.
(1) Divining the Death of a Loved One
C.
(1) Learning of the Death of a Kinsman or Ally, and Lapsing into Despair

 

[MaxSebastian]

Well I don't believe there are just those 36 stories. I've seen the Jerry Springer show.

 

[Guest]

lol-ing

Georges Polti: would hate to have been his wife, daughter or housemaid.

 

[jfinn]

Well I don't believe there are just those 36 stories. I've seen the Jerry Springer show.

Hmmm, I think he was talking dramatic storytelling, not farce.

Jayne

 

[Quasimodem]

My Tail Is Already Told

I have Attention Defecate Syndrom, so could someone please explain exactly where “ Buffy, The Vampire-Slayer ” would fit, within those 36 multiplex situations.

Speaking of television programs, I missed the entire first year of “Relic Hunter” because I thought that was the title of Anna Nicole Smith’s new show.

 

[oggbashan]

Re: My Tail Is Already Told

I have Attention Defecate Syndrom, so could someone please explain exactly where “ Buffy, The Vampire-Slayer ” would fit, within those 36 multiplex situations.

Type 33 A 1 and all the categories under 31 covers most Buffy scenarios. For the rest, since Buffy is just another soap opera they'll try any of the other categories.

Now I'll have to duck the flying wooden stakes because I was killed in the Old Testament.

Og

 

[Guest]

from Perilous Perdita

Type 33 A 1 and all the categories under 31 covers most Buffy scenarios. For the rest, since Buffy is just another soap opera they'll try any of the other categories.

I do not stake friends, Ogg dear, so you're off the hook*, but only there. BtVS is NOT, or nowhere NEAR a soap opera and all that implies. I declare to the few people I trust that it is the best and most intelligently written American television series ever (STNG** came close). Now I have said it publicly. Phew! I've 'come out' on Lit., what a release of self (near orgasmic).

Earl! Help me out, I am too emotionally overcome to continue. I need my back watched! - Pear

*plus you gallantly came to protect my (and MG's) honor re. that pony prattle.

**if you have to ask. . .

 

[Quasimodem]

The Case of The Invidious Divisions !

I don’t know what use any author could make of that list. I would certainly not be interested in reading any story originated through its employment.

Perhaps Laurel could use it to cross index the LITEROTICA Archive for a really useless Search Engine. There does exist a model for cross-referencing Amateur Porn Stories pioneered by ASSTR.ORG using story codes such as MF, FF, MM, Con, Non Con, BDSM, Toy and LW.

Naturally, both would contain stories with more than one code – some stories used damn near every code in the book. The latter allowed the reader to search for their particular fetish, or permitted them to avoid any stories with components that ‘squicked’ them.

I don’t know what the heck the former would do for you!

In any case, the ASSTR.ORG effort was only partially effective.

Some writers ignored the codes, since they thought it gave away the action of their story. Some insisted on using a different set of letters to indicate their own personal code, inaugurating an unofficial code, some who had written a story that they knew would ‘squick’ a lot of people refrained from using that code for fear of losing readers. Finally, some thought that, like running a spell checker, putting in all the proper codes on their story was too much work!

Anyone who is more interested in this topic should look up copies of the code at the ASSTR.ORG Site, or they could contact UTHER PENDRAGON who did much of the work on the original ASSD story codes.

 

[jfinn]

Re: The Case of The Invidious Divisions !

Perhaps Laurel could use it to cross index the LITEROTICA Archive for a really useless Search Engine. There does exist a model for cross-referencing Amateur Porn Stories pioneered by ASSTR.ORG using story codes such as MF, FF, MM, Con, Non Con, BDSM, Toy and LW.

Anyone who is more interested in this topic should look up copies of the code at the ASSTR.ORG Site, or they could contact UTHER PENDRAGON who did much of the work on the original ASSD story codes.

Hi Quasi,

I think you're missing the point here, or more likely I didn't explain myself well enough. This list isn't a replacement for, or an explanation of story codes. You're absolutely right, there are some wonderful references out there for those already.

What this is, is a fairly famous list taught in writing courses that concern themselves with story and the development of dramatic situations. I posted because it is interesting to take something like Buffy or anything really, and see how it fits in with a list made almost 150 years ago. It was just something I thought might be fun to put up on the board.

Guess I was wrong, sorry.

Jayne

 

[oggbashan]

The Invidious Divisions !

I posted because it is interesting to take something like Buffy or anything really, and see how it fits in with a list made almost 150 years ago. It was just something I thought might be fun to put up on the board.

Guess I was wrong, sorry.

Jayne

No. You weren't wrong.

The list still works if you modernise the language. It is still a useful tool for analysing plots.

It would be a marathon exercise to write one story in every category and sub-category.

There are so many stories on Lit that are the same plot over and over again as was said on a previous thread:

Boy sees girl's 36DDs: boy fucks girl.
or
Girl sees boy's ten incher: girl gets fucked.

Og

 

[gauchecritic]

Re: from Perilous Perdita

I declare to the few people I trust that it is the best and most intelligently written American television series ever (STNG** came close).

6 words in refutation. The Simpsons and Hill Street Blues.

Gauche

 

[Guest]

TV ratings: Gauce vs. Purr

6 words in refutation. The Simpsons and Hill Street Blues.

Can't agree. Simpsons close, HSB maybe at its beginning.

Re. senses on another thread: the most memorable HSB scene was of the lead male shaving the lead lady's legs while she was in the bath and he alongside in his suit! An exquisite fantasy. Thanks for calling it forth amidst the cobwebs.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Perdita, Gauche,

I know you folks mean well, but consider adding "ONE OF THE" or "IMHO" before the shows on your lists.

To declare any of those you two mentioned as being, "..the best and most intelligently written American television series ever" would place them ahead of, MASH, All in the Family, and The Twilight Zone (among others). Such a ranking defies logic, awards, and the consensus of opinion among the vast majority of critics, educators, and the viewing public.

Besides, what about "Bay Watch?"

And jfinn, thanks for posting Polti's, 36 Dramatic Situations.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[TheEarl]

Re: Re: My Tail Is Already Told

Type 33 A 1 and all the categories under 31 covers most Buffy scenarios. For the rest, since Buffy is just another soap opera they'll try any of the other categories.

Now I'll have to duck the flying wooden stakes because I was killed in the Old Testament.

Og

So what about the one where the all started singing musical songs because of a demon?

I do not watch soap operas

The Earl

 

[Pure]

J Finn,

Thanks,

I saw such a list a while back, and it's fascinating. One does get a sense of this after watching, say, lots of movies.

Here's a related question. Given the monotony of porn, is it because only a few of the 36 are ever used (not to say character stereotyping, bad writing, etc)? which?

Which of these would be unusual and interesting in erotica? I'm not sure where this fits, but consider a story I wrote about a daughter revenging herself on her mother through enforced sexual degradation.

J.

Here's a link to some type-of-plot lists-- is there 1,3, 7, 20 or 36(37)?
http://www.ipl.org/div/farq/plotFARQ.html

 

[Guest]

Rumple:

Thanks for the humbling advice. I generally take care when being profoundly declarative, but not when jesting with friends on something called the author's board on an online erotica site. My goof, will keep passions in check (Argghh! down Spike, down!)

I also think the acronym should be lower-case if truly humble.

Proud Perdita

 

[Guest]

Suds

So what about the one where the all started singing musical songs because of a demon?

I do not watch soap operas

Oh, Earl, that was the best musical ever (imho).

I have to admit I watched soaps when I was a depressed housewife and mother about three decades ago, but not since.

Pear

 

[gauchecritic]

IMHO

I'm not what you'd call humble really (see rant after critics awards) I am honest a fair amount of the time except when taking exception and being devils advocate, so if I were to use the acronym it would be imo.

I think we are all intelligent and grown up enough (nothing personal TheEarl) to realise that unless we quote evidence and/or fact whenever anyone uses best or most worthy then of course they are opinions, they are qualitative and can only be opinions.

I take everything that anyone says as opinion or experience especially mathematicians and logicians. (Is logicians a word?)

Gauche

P.S I don't think any of the shows mentioned so far can be classed as soaps either. As a matter of fact they definitely cannot possibly be classed as soaps.

 

[Guest]

Gauche:

What critics' awards? Tell me. Purr

 

[gauchecritic]

Something that died of the plague and fell off the end of the board a while ago. When everyone found out just how big-headed, arrogant and gauche I really am. Unless they just moved it and didn't tell me.

Gauche

PM for the low down

 

[MathGirl]

%$#%&^*^%$&!!

Originally posted by gauchecritic I take everything that anyone says as opinion or experience especially mathematicians and logicians.

Watch it, Buster. Mathematics ain't anecdotal.
MG

 

[TheEarl]

Re: IMHO

I think we are all intelligent and grown up enough (nothing personal TheEarl)

Nothing personal? Why nothing personal? What could have been personal? What did I do wrong!

And this is how complexes start.

The Earl

 

[Guest]

Re: Re: IMHO

Nothing personal? Why nothing personal? What could have been personal? What did I do wrong!

Hon, I think he was only taking delight in pointing out your youth. Certainly nothing to apologize for given your vast intelligence and cunning clit, uh, literary skills.

Pear